North Korea Criticizes Japanese Prime Minister for Offering Sacrifice to Yasukuni Shrine

SadaNews - North Korea criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi on Saturday for offering a sacrifice to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo, describing it as a "challenge to international justice."

Last Tuesday, Takaiichi sent a sacrifice to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese war dead, including 14 Class A war criminals condemned by Allied forces after World War II. Prominent Japanese politicians have also visited the shrine.

In an article published by the "Rodong Sinmun" newspaper, it stated, "This is a blatant distortion of history and a challenge to international justice and peace. It is a place to honor aggressors and war criminals who have caused irreparable suffering."

The newspaper accused Tokyo of seeking to promote militarism through visits to the shrine, urging it to atone for the past.

Japanese politicians have faced criticism for sending offerings or visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, as neighboring countries like South Korea and China consider such actions as attempts to glorify the country's military past, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, while China was invaded by Japan during World War II.